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Time to Reflect

Written by Annie Kidder, Executive Director, People for Education

Now that we’ve lived through the initial reaction to the Falconer report, it’s time to take a more measured look at the reality of what goes on in our schools and at what needs to happen to make our schools live up to their potential.

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In other words the report made some suggestions and said some things we didn't like, so we'd like to cherry pick it and make up our own ideas of what's really wrong, because the Falconer report wasn't measured.......

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First, we must remember that schools exist within a societal context, in which the growing gap between rich and poor, and cuts to social assistance, recreation programs, public housing and other social services, have had a major impact. We must also remember that there are wide variations among schools, and that data from only two of Toronto’s schools does not necessarily paint a complete picture.

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So 2 schools do not an issue make, and besides the problems started outside the schools with people being poor so it's not really relevant anyway

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An extensive survey conducted last year of over 100,000 Toronto students in Grades 7-12, found that 89% of high school students said they felt safe inside the school and 69% felt safe on school property. Eighty-one per cent said they got along well with other students in their school and 60% thought their schools were welcoming and friendly places.

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So....

11% of high school students said they didn't feel safe inside the school
31% didn't feel safe on school property
19% said the didn't get along well with other students in their school
40% thought their schools weren't a welcoming and friendly places.

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If we react only to the more sensational components of the report in isolation, we may miss a chance to look at the bigger picture. Sniffer spaniels, name tags for students and more security in schools will do nothing to address the broader issues.

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I think spaniels are much nicer than pit bulls if you're looking for a school friendly breed....

Yes the 'sensational part is where the kids got killed, but let's not over react....

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We know from years of research that there are kids who are destined to struggle in school through no fault of their own, but simply because of their family circumstances. We also know that a high ratio of supportive adults increases those students’ chances for success in school.

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ahhh the sweet sweet smell of parental blame...if only the parents were not so colourful

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So first, let’s move quickly to ensure that what is currently called the Learning Opportunities Grant – intended to fund programs for students at risk because of their socio-economic circumstances – has enough money in it to pay for extra staff, and that the money is used as intended. Let’s rename it the Equity in Education Grant, and let’s commit to providing all students with an equitable chance for success – as our publicly-funded schools are supposed to.

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So we're going to help poor kids, from poor families by ensuring there is enough money to hire staff...gee I wonder if I hired more staff I'd be less poor (ok I'm not "poor" but I am a struggling single parent with a leaking basement.....somehow this just had to be about me)

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Second, we should look at the so-called “culture of silence” in our schools. The media coverage and the report gave the impression that there was a Sopranos-like atmosphere in schools. The truth is more complicated.

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Yes the truth is more complicated, if only people weren't so silent about it

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The code of silence among students we understand. Young people are, for the most part, unwilling to betray their fellow students – some because they’re afraid, and some because it’s a part of the culture of youth. Falconer is right to talk about providing ways for kids to talk about what’s going on, and even to turn in other students who have committed offences.

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ummm young people don't trust adults because adults write stupid essays designed to support decisions that don't include consulting with young people

I think more students would 'blow the whistle' if they thought the adults they blew at could keep them from being whacked (going with the Soprano's analogy although I've never watched an episode)

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The code of silence among administrators and teachers is different, and more complex.

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Ahhh it's wrong for young people to stay silent but stay tuned, I'm going to justify the silence for adults

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There is currently a lot of pressure on staff in schools – to implement policy changes, get students’ test scores up, make limited funding work for all students, supervise schoolyards and halls, manage the administrative work that was downloaded from school boards, provide students with a range of programs, keep schools open, etc. The culture of silence that Mr. Falconer described may stem at least in part from a lack of balance in our schools, between the pressure on staff and the need for breathing room to provide space and time for innovation, for mentoring, and to find solutions to real, and ongoing problems.

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Get kids' grades up, supervise....that's a wrong focus???

And we thought all the pressures we on the students...you know the ones getting shot, but it turns out the poor poor staff, how could we not realize that the gutting of the funding of our schools makes the staff enter a code of silence, yes the EFTO and OSTF are so "silent" on issues....too bad no one listened to them...

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Our collective reaction to the report raises many questions: Do we have expectations of our schools that don’t match the realities of the communities within which they exist? How can we ensure our schools are safe, welcoming places where everyone feels they belong? Will dogs, name tags and intercom systems do the trick? Or would it be more effective to focus on making stronger more integrated links between schools and the other parts of students’ and families lives? And, most importantly, what kinds of policies and programs do we need, and how should we target them, to ensure that we provide students with an equitable chance for success?

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Dog tags???? ahh so we can quickly identify the student body! Schools and their communities, has there been a disconnect - well duh!!! No one can afford to use them so they lost their role as community centres...but that just padded you common sense revolution where you wanted tax cuts.....

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It is time now to make long-term plans and move beyond the early reaction to this report. We need to articulate a vision for our education system beyond test score targets. We need to provide the resources necessary to ensure that every student feels the way many do – that their schools are good places to be and that they have the same chance for success as everyone else.

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Because those oh so unhappy poor colourful children are just taking the focus away from our European style of learning......

(pardon the length but I tell you there are days )

[ 29 January 2008: Message edited by: rural - Francesca ]

The author of that article, is question if we have too high an expectation for the so-called inner city schools.

Like its too much, for a parent to expect that thier children, will be treated with respect, provided and enriching educational environment and feel safe.

So instead of ensuring that we creat better educational experiences for the youth, the solution is to lower our expectations, to fit with the inhumane way they are currently treated?

Excuse me while i go GAG!! ..

The Falconer Report was composed with a strict deadline, and is hardly the last word on the topic.

My own son goes to a Toronto public high school, yet he's never breathed a peep about vullying, weapons, etc, etc.

ETA: let the record show that since I posted the above, this least of problems has been addressed by Francesca's amendment of the title from "just get over it already" to an essay that implies: "just get over it already".

[ 29 January 2008: Message edited by: M. Spector ]

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Originally posted by jeff house:
Actually, the Kidder comments are measured and wise.

The Falconer Report was composed with a strict deadline, and is hardly the last word on the topic.

My own son goes to a Toronto public high school, yet he's never breathed a peep about bullying, weapons, etc, etc.

He was actually offended by the Falconer Report's recommendation that lockers may be inspected by the authorities. As he said to me: "What if a girl tests positive for being pregnant, why should the principal get to know that?"

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My comments are not directed to suggest the Falconer report got it all right and should be implemented without question. Never did I suggest that.

My irritation with this essay is that it minimizes the issues to a few schools, dismissing the issues of bullying, racism and economic challenges at any other school not YET affected with such violence.

The 'blame' and 'fault' is directed at poor (economically and in skill) parents.

It makes excuses for why those that were charged with protecting our children failed to, under the guise of 'code of silence'.

It doesn't address the issues within the communities, it simply says we need to move past this report, sweep the issues aside as it seems to be derailing other agendas. It sends a message that these schools, these students, aren't worth the effort - because of their economic, cultural and "poor choices".

It doesn't recognize that the situation is a product of chronic underfunding, racial tensions, sexism, marginalization.

One on has to look at the United Way of Toronto's report to truly understand the connection between poverty and violence.

But perhaps as a rural Ontarian I should phone up my colleague at the UWGT and tell her to "get over it already".

I stand by my sarcasm.

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Originally posted by M. Spector:
The thread title is the least of the things that are wrong with this thread.

ETA: let the record show that since I posted the above, this least of problems has been addressed by Francesca's amendment of the title from "just get over it already" to an essay that implies: "just get over it already".

[ 29 January 2008: Message edited by: M. Spector ]

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Yep! Good catch!

teacher teacher teacher she changed it, she changed it I'm telling I'm telling

[ 29 January 2008: Message edited by: rural - Francesca ]